Best Work Shoulder Bag Finalists – The Seventh Annual Carry Awards

Shoulder bags are a staple across countless working environments. But what makes for a good one? Work-appropriate form should definitely be present. But it should also function well too, delivering effective organization and access along with trusty build quality. Drop in a little versatility to zip between different settings and carry needs, and you’re onto a good thing.

Our Best Work Shoulder Bag finalists aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get down to helping you conquer a busy day. But which one will score top honors? Cast your vote below.

VOTING CLOSED

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Brooks England Strand Shoulder Bag

Cycling-oriented bags can sometimes slack off in the looks department. But the Brooks England Strand starts your day off in suitably professional style. And it’s got that drizzly commute covered too with its durable, weatherproof PU-coated Nylon 66 and Cordura build complemented by YKK AquaGuard zippers. An easy-access padded laptop compartment takes care of your tech, while the cycling belt stabilizes the load during an active commute. A dapper pick indeed when two wheels take you to work and back.

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Trakke Wee Lug V3

Trakke have dialed in on a host of collection revamps recently, from more sophisticated patternmaking to improved pocketing. And the tough and adaptable Wee Lug has welcomed a range of thoughtful updates to enhance its functionality and user-friendly design. The pattern has been honed for improved comfort, with a grab handle at the ready too for easy portability. And the organization has undergone a significant improvement too, with front pockets conveniently accessible even with the flap down and a redesigned interior layout so you can neatly store water bottles, small EDC or work items and a laptop. All while still enjoying the durable, weatherproof, handcrafted construction that has become a respected trademark of the Glasgow-based brand.

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KILLSPENCER Esquire Briefcase

KILLSPENCER are kings at nailing urban luxe. And the California brand hits it out of the park with their Esquire Briefcase, where luxury meets everyday functionality and ruggedly suave styling. A slim, premium piece for carrying work essentials like a boss. It’s made in the USA with full-grain leather, AustriAlpin Cobra buckles and a scratch-resistant Alcantara lining to protect tech. Organization-wise there’s a 15″ laptop pocket, along with smaller pockets and elastic loops to store work and EDC tools. And for travel ease, the briefcase also includes a luggage handle attachment strap.

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Vermilyea Pelle Tech Messenger

Vermilyea Pelle was founded by Dustin Spencer, a man fascinated with traditionally-made leather goods from a young age. Over the years he honed his skills and became a master. And it’s evident in the Tech Messenger. The bag exudes understated class with its top-notch handmade construction and quality materials. Bringing tech and tradition together, it fuses the modern and the classic, combining Wickett and Craig English Bridle leather with 1050D Cordura ballistic nylon, AustriAlpin Cobra buckles and an X-Pac lining. But it’s not just style here. The attractive aesthetics are complemented by a practical, adaptable design that includes a padded 15″ laptop sleeve, front pockets under the flap and a luggage handle attachment loop.

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Bellroy Laptop Brief – Designers Edition

Details matter. And the Designers Edition of the Bellroy Laptop Brief is all about the details. A bag designed to make the right impression from the get-go, keeping you looking sharp and in charge wherever the work day leads. The environmentally certified leather delivers a premium look and feel, with pre-formed panels elevating the structure and use of space. The wide opening allows you to easily pick out items at a glance, while the pockets keep your gear neat and easily accessible. And the removable shoulder strap lets you alternate between briefcase and shoulder carry mode. Super clean on the outside, practical on the inside, it’s a piece that elevates your work carry to the next level.

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Le Tanneur Audacieux Briefcase 1 Gusset

Founded in 1898, Le Tanneur is one of France’s foremost creators of beautiful leather carry goods. A brand that focuses on quality and elegance at every step, from the initial designs through to the material selection and manufacturing. And with over a century in the industry, they’re clearly doing it right. The Audacieux Briefcase 1 Gusset is a fine display of the brand’s ethos. The contemporary yet timeless style moves easily between a range of work and play environments. The craftsmanship is top-notch. And the selection of pockets are more than adequate for keeping minimalist loads in order without sacrificing the clean feel.

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Stuart and Lau Cary Double Briefcase

Stuart and Lau was founded with the desire to create work-ready bags that not only look good but fit easily into your busy lifestyle. Moving seamlessly with you throughout the day, while offering intuitive organization and a touch of luxury to keep you looking cool, calm and collected. The Cary Double Briefcase offers a refined blend of all these elements. A chic, weatherproof build that shrugs off showers. Dual compartments, one of which houses a 15″ laptop while the other opens clamshell-style to reveal a variety of pockets for your daily essentials. And a thoughtful selection of additional features to make life that little bit easier, including a magnetic key ring, a luggage tag with a quick-access card slot, umbrella holder straps, and a luggage attachment sleeve. All allowing you to transition smoothly from the work commute to business travel with ease.

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Ateliers Auguste Valmy

Ateliers Auguste was founded by two brothers in 2012. And the brand has gone from strength to strength, offering pieces that fuse European design flair and expert craftsmanship. The Valmy is a fine example of this, bringing elegant French style, expert Portuguese craftsmanship and premium Italian materials together in a piece that steps easily from a busy workday to a leisurely weekend. The bag is handcrafted with water-repellent Italian nylon and full-grain leather and offers a rear quick-access pocket for smaller essentials.

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WANT Les Essentiels Haneda 15″ Slim WANT ORGANIC® Cotton Computer Bag

WANT Les Essentiels focuses on timeless, luxury pieces that straddle the everyday/travel divide. And the Haneda captures these design philosophies in an elegant, functional form that adds eco-conscious construction to the mix with its organic cotton build. The slim profile helps you navigate crowds with ease, while the understated aesthetics transition easily from the office to work trips or a leisurely stop at your local cafe. The bag fits a 15″ laptop, with a selection of interior pockets to store smaller items and a quick-access pocket for frequently used essentials.

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Porter Bond 2Way Briefcase

One of our favorite Japanese brands, Porter are always on point when it comes to balancing form, function and versatility and delivering it with world-class build quality. The Bond 2Way Briefcase is no exception, merging military inspiration with urban-ready functionality and aesthetics. The bag is crafted in Japan with a durable Japanese-made nylon, with leather detailing softening the rugged look and adding a sophisticated touch to the design. And the multiple compartments and assortment of pockets will please packers who appreciate the “place for everything” approach, keeping gear neat and at the ready throughout the day. Plus it carries as both a shoulder bag or briefcase to suit your needs, with a self-standing design for easy gear retrieval.

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Topo Designs Messenger Bag

Topo’s playful heritage vibe is ever present with their Messenger Bag, all in a straight-lined silhouette that’s timeless and classy. Made with a burly 1000D nylon, water-resistant truck tarp lining and weatherproof zippers it can tackle long days on the go and inclement weather. The interior offers a padded 15″ laptop sleeve, with an exterior back pocket that also accommodates a laptop if you want to keep tech quickly accessible. The messenger can be carried with the removable shoulder strap or top carry handle and also offers dual closure options including G-hooks and hook and loop for quick access or added security as required.

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Outlier Experiment 154 – Paper Nylon Cross Chest Bag

Outlier have never been ones to shy away from experimentation, pushing fabric innovations and rethinking formats to deliver their signature take on everyday and travel gear. And their Experiment 154 – Paper Nylon Cross Chest Bag does both. It’s crafted with a Japanese-made nylon canvas that undergoes a process to create a crackly, paper-like structure. The Fidlock Strike closure lets you adjust the volume to suit different loads, with rear hooks and webbing to secure extra items externally. Slim and chic, it’s an eye-catching piece for carrying smaller work loads.

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beruf baggage brf CF11 Rush Messenger Bag

beruf baggage have designed the Rush Messenger with urban bike commuters in mind who want a bag that moves smoothly between on and off-bike use. The tough, water-resistant Cordura nylon build embraces demanding, all-weather use, while the clean aesthetics look suitably appropriate across a range of work settings. The bag also offers an ambidextrous shoulder strap, a 13″ laptop sleeve and a variety of organization pockets to tailor it to your setup preferences.

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BOND Travel Gear Attache 13

The Attache 13 may be inspired by military toughness and reliability, but it’s ready to conquer the urban jungle. Low-key aesthetics allow it to fly under the radar across varying work, everyday and travel environments. The removable shoulder strap lets you swap easily between shoulder bag and briefcase modes. And the access is solid, with a clamshell opening and a host of pockets and elastic loops for quick, convenient access to all your gear. And with its durable, water-resistant nylon and Hypalon build backed by a lifetime guarantee, it’s a piece you can reach for time and again and trust to get the carry job done.

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Incase Kanso Convertible Brief

Flexible portability, plenty of organization and pared-back aesthetics all in one adaptable bag? Challenge accepted and well met by the Kanso Convertible Brief. The bag offers three carry options including shoulder bag, backpack and briefcase mode, letting you carry comfortably during commutes and step up your professional appearance during working hours. Dual compartments and an assortment of pockets take care of your work tools and EDC, with padded storage for up to a 15″ laptop. And Incase’s signature clean urban styling is in fine display here, helping you seamlessly transition between formal and informal environments alike.